Many dog owners carefully think about what they eat for the sake of the planet—but new research suggests they may want to pay just as much attention to what they put in their dog’s bowl.
A large new study has found that some dogs, especially those fed premium, meat-rich diets, can have a bigger food-related carbon footprint than their owners.
The research, led by scientists from the University of Edinburgh and the University of Exeter, is the largest analysis yet of the climate impact of dog food.
The study was published in the Journal of Cleaner Production.
By examining ingredient and nutrition labels, the researchers calculated the greenhouse gas emissions linked to the production of nearly 1,000 dog food products sold in the UK. These included dry kibble, wet food, raw diets, grain-free options, and a small number of plant-based foods.
The results showed huge differences between products. Wet, raw, and meat-heavy dog foods were linked to much higher emissions than standard dry dog food. In fact, the most climate-damaging foods produced up to 65 times more emissions than the lowest-impact options.
The reason largely comes down to meat. Foods made with large amounts of prime cuts—meat that people could eat themselves—require more land, water, and energy to produce. This drives up emissions. In contrast, dog foods that use nutritious animal parts that humans rarely eat tend to have a much smaller environmental footprint.
The researchers estimate that producing the ingredients used in UK dog food accounts for around 1% of the country’s total greenhouse gas emissions.
If dogs around the world were fed in the same way as those in the UK, the emissions from their food could equal more than half of those produced each year by burning jet fuel for commercial flights.
Dry dog food that is not marketed as grain-free generally performed best in terms of environmental impact. Grain-free products, often seen as a premium or healthier choice, tended to score worse because they rely more heavily on meat. Raw diets also ranked among the highest emitters.
John Harvey, the study’s lead author from the Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies, says many owners feel conflicted. On one hand, dogs are often seen as natural meat eaters. On the other, people want to reduce their environmental impact.
The study suggests that owners who want to lower their dog’s “carbon pawprint” do not necessarily need to change food brands or feeding styles completely. Checking labels and choosing foods with fewer prime meat ingredients can make a meaningful difference. Plant-based dog foods may also help reduce emissions, though the researchers note that more options and further study are needed.
As dog ownership continues to grow, the authors argue that clearer labeling and greater transparency from the pet food industry could help owners make choices that are better for both their dogs and the planet.
Source: University of Edinburgh.
